Local odds and ends

5 Feb - A bit of time locally with the camera, and good timing as the rain arrived about 3pm when I'd finished.....first a return trip to pit 82, and nice close views of the Great Northern Diver as it preened and dived every so often to feed. 7 Common Snipe in the adjacent floods, but no sign this time of the Jack Snipe. The usual pair of Stonechats along the fenceline. In the afternoon, a visit to the hide at Coate, and the Water Rail - my target - popped out twice - no Jays despite my peanuts but they probably fed well in the morning. Also seen - flyby Kingfisher, 4 Goosander, Shoveler and Teal, Long-tailed Tits, a large flock of c50 flyover Siskins, a Grey Wagtail, and a Cetti's Warbler heard.